Temptation, a fact of life

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out
…

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

Transcript

1.
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common
to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be
tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are
tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can
endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:13

2.
Three LIES about
temptation
• NO ONE ELSE GOES THROUGH WHAT I’M
GOING THROUGH
• THE TEMPTATION IS TOO STRONG FOR ME TO
RESIST
• THERE IS NO WAY OUT… EXCEPT TO GIVE
IN…

3.
Has no one gone through WHAT
you’re GOING THROUGH?
Read what Paul says writing to Corinthian church:
“Remember our history, friends, and be warned.
1. All our ancestors were led by the providential Cloud and
taken
miraculously through the Sea.
2. They went through the waters, in a baptism like ours, as
Moses led them from
enslaving death to salvation life.
3. They all ate and drank identical food and drink, meals
provided daily by God.
4. They drank from the Rock, God’s fountain for them that
stayed with them wherever they were. And the Rock was
Christ.
But just experiencing God’s wonder and grace didn’t seem
to mean much—most of them were defeated by temptation
during the hard times in the desert, and
God was not
pleased”

4.
Why is Paul writing
about those times?
These things happened to them as examples and were written
down as warnings for us. 1 Corinthians 10:11
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have
peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I
have overcome the world. John 16:33

5.
What’s wrong with thinking that no else has gone
through what you’re going through?
1.
This is an attempt to justify their sin because of their special
circumstances.
–
–
2.
This is destructive because it leads a person into sinning instead of resisting
temptation
This is destructive because if someone doesn’t think they’re guilty they won’t
confess. “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and
to cleanse us from every wrong.” - 1 John 1:9
They will be reluctant to seek help from other believers
–
–
One of the major functions of the church is to be an encouragement to each
other. We need to “encourage each other and build each other up,… Take
tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone” - 1 Thessalonians
5:11,14
A Church ought to provides you a spiritual friend to share about your
temptations in order to “try to build each other up” - Romans 14:19

6.
Is your temptation too strong
for you to resist?
CASE 1
YES, when we were once enslaved to sin
–
–
–
No opportunity to be free
Couldn’t help but sin
In fact, it was our very nature to sin
CASE 2
NO, not now because we are redeemed from sin. We “all are justified
freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus”
Romans 3:24 & “you know that it was not with perishable things such as
silver or gold that you were redeemed” - 1 Peter 1:18
&
God knows your breaking point, so you are not tempted beyond
you can resist. – 1 Corinthians 10:13

7.
Do you think that there is no
way out, except to give in?
WAY OUT 1
Joseph was a strikingly handsome man. His master’s wife
became infatuated with Joseph and one day said, “Sleep with
me.” Joseph’s response: How could I …sin against God? –
Genesis 39:6-9
WAY OUT 2
Joseph Ran: aggressive resistance is the only logical way Genesis 39:11-15

8.
Why should God allow
temptation in first place?
The Process of SANCTIFICATION
1. Temptations equip you with endurance
2. Temptations strengthen our resistance
3. Temptations teach you to depend on God: You
need to “approach God’s throne of grace with
confidence, so that we may receive mercy and
find grace to help us in our time of need” –
Hebrews 4:16
4. God proves that He is faithful to His promise

9.
Three TRUTHS about
temptation
•Temptation is common to everyone
•God will not put you in a situation
where you have to give in
•He will make a way so you can
endure